The intermediate support skill 【Holy Shield Safeguard】, unlocked upon breaking through to the Transcendent Rank at Level 8, was of extremely high practical value in combat.
Just now, it had easily withstood a strike from the Level 10 Wolf King with room to spare, but its defense limit was ultimately capped. If it took another hit, the shield would have most likely shattered.
What pleasantly surprised Bai Xuan the most was his newly learned area-of-effect skill, 【Storm of Judgment】. Although its mana consumption was quite high and it wasn't very cost-effective in single-target duels, it was exceptionally useful for clearing groups of monsters, perfectly making up for his lack of team combat capability.
Bai Xuan closed his status panel and looked down at Phoebe, who was leaning against him.
She lay there quietly, her long silver hair sliding down her arm, swaying gently in the cool evening breeze.
Her breathing slowly stabilized, and her rapid heartbeat gradually calmed down. The stamina consumed during the high-intensity battle just now was recovering bit by bit.
Bai Xuan did not wake her. He simply sat in silence, letting her lean against him and rest in peace.
The ruins of Ancient Glay in the distance cast long shadows in the twilight.
The crumbling walls and broken pillars stood quietly, like wordless monuments witnessing the passage of countless years and endless battles.
Phoebe's long eyelashes fluttered slightly. Bai Xuan noticed this immediately and looked down at her.
She slowly opened her eyes. Her golden pupils were slightly blurry at first, but they quickly focused, resting steadily on Bai Xuan's face.
“How do you feel?” Bai Xuan asked softly. “Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”
Phoebe shook her head gently. Her voice was slightly hoarse from the recent battle, yet it remained remarkably clear. “I'm fine.”
Her long silver hair slid from her shoulders as she propped herself up on the stone platform, slowly sitting upright and looking down at her left arm.
The terrifying, bone-deep wound from before had completely healed, leaving only a faint pink scar to prove the intensity of the battle that had just transpired.
She clenched her fist and stretched her arm to adjust to her fully recovered body, then looked up at Bai Xuan.
There was still barely any expression on her face, but Bai Xuan could read all her emotions from her clear golden eyes.
It was neither an intentional expression of gratitude nor simple dependence, but an unspoken, absolute trust deep within her heart.
During that perilous battle just now, she hadn't looked back even once. She knew that whenever she needed it, that pale golden shield of Holy Light would protect her in time.
She had entrusted her back to him without reservation. This trust was as unyielding as her grip on her battleaxe.
Bai Xuan reached out and gently tucked a stray lock of hair clinging to her cheek behind her ear.
Phoebe did not flinch, only looking up at him quietly, her eyes clear and gentle.
“Let's go,” Bai Xuan said as he stood up and handed her a waterskin. “Let's head back to the barrier.”
Phoebe took the waterskin and drank a few sips, then stood up and hoisted 【Rock-Crushing Mountain】, which had been leaning against the stone platform, onto her shoulder.
Dried bloodstains still clung to the axe handle, her white robe was torn in several places, and her long silver hair was somewhat disheveled.
She took two steps forward, then suddenly stopped and looked back at the battlefield.
“It was very strong,” Phoebe said softly.
Bai Xuan smiled and nodded. “Indeed it was, but you are stronger.”
Phoebe did not speak.
She turned around and followed behind Bai Xuan, walking step by step toward the barrier.
The ruins of Ancient Glay slowly receded beside them, with broken stone pillars and crumbling walls standing quietly in the twilight.
The color of the sky shifted from a dusty blue to deep purple, as a faint band of light slowly spread across the horizon.
One in front of the other, the two walked steadily forward through the evening breeze blowing over the ruins.
As they neared their barrier outpost, the creek under the moonlight shimmered with fine, silver ripples.
Two months ago, there was only a solitary stone house here, with a barren vegetable patch and a messy pile of firewood left in the yard.
Now, a drying rack stood near the entrance, with several tanned Shadowmane Wolf pelts hanging from it, their grayish-black fur swaying gently in the night wind.
Several coarse pottery jars sat on the windowsill, holding fluorescent moss gathered from deep within the ruins. They emitted a faint blue glow in the dim environment, like little nightlights that required no fire.
The dirt road in front of the house had been repaired, and the small gravel-paved path was flat and clean, looking exceptionally neat.
The messy firewood in the yard had been neatly bundled and stacked into orderly piles against the stone wall of the house.
The simple, makeshift stove from before had been replaced by a proper stove built of stone slabs and clay. Beside it stood a small wooden rack where an iron pot, wooden spoons, and several polished beast-bone knives hung, fully equipped with everything they needed.
Next to the firewood pile was a water barrel made from a Rock-Shell Turtle shell, filled to the brim with sweet, clear creek water.
The changes inside the house were even more significant. The floor was covered with a patchwork carpet of Shadowmane Wolf pelts, soft and thick to step on.
On a wooden shelf against the wall, various spoils of war collected over the past two months were neatly displayed.
There were silver goblets found in the ruins, porcelain plates engraved with ancient patterns, magic crystals of unknown purpose, and a broken piece of a runic stone pillar, each with its own unique character.
In the corner of the room lay a few tattered ancient scrolls unearthed from the ruins. Although the writing on them had long faded, Bai Xuan had still stored them away carefully.
Even the cushions for resting had been replaced. No longer thin, coarse cloth blankets, they were now thick mats sewn from soft Rock-Shell Turtle hide and Shadowmane Wolf pelts.
“Go wash up by the creek,” Bai Xuan said. “I'll prep the ingredients and get dinner ready.”
Phoebe walked to the creek and crouched down, dipping her hands into the cool water. Her long silver hair fell over her shoulders, gently brushing the surface and sending out ripples.
She washed herself thoroughly, untying her hairband to submerge her silver hair in the creek, combing and washing it bit by bit until every strand was completely clean of bloodstains.
Meanwhile, Bai Xuan squatted in front of the stone house to butcher the wolf meat. He retrieved a clean oilcloth from his Space Ring, spread it on the ground, and began carving up the wolf legs piece by piece.
The wolf pelt, which had been peeled off in one piece, was rubbed repeatedly with salt and alum for preservation before being hung securely on the drying rack to air-dry.
Once Bai Xuan finished, he stood up and returned to the stone house.
He added firewood to the stove, stoked the flames, and took out fresh Wolf King tenderloin from his Space Ring to slice into thick pieces. He scooped out a bit of stored Rock-Shell Turtle fat and placed it into the pot, waiting for the oil to heat up.
The moment the meat hit the pot, a sizzling sound erupted. A rich, savory aroma immediately wafted through the air, filling the entire yard with warmth.
He sliced some root vegetables grown in their garden and tossed them in to stir-fry, sprinkling a bit of wild herbs harvested from the ruins to enhance the flavor. Finally, he added half a pot of fresh water, covered it with a lid, and let it simmer over a low fire.
Hanging on the wooden rack beside the stove were several kitchen utensils they had polished by hand, all made from beast bones and horns.
A smooth, rounded wolf leg bone had been turned into a rolling pin, a hollowed-out Rock-Shell Turtle shell served as a soup pot, and sharpened Shadowmane Wolf ribs were used as makeshift forks. Though crude, they were exceptionally handy.
Bai Xuan held a bone spoon, gently stirring the bubbling broth in the pot. He took a sip to taste it, then added a small pinch of fine salt to season it.
Just then, Phoebe walked back from the creek.
Her hair was not yet completely dry, draping wetly over her shoulders, with a few soft strands clinging to her cheeks, carrying the coolness of the creek.
She squatted by the stove, quietly watching the bubbling meat broth in the pot. The dancing flames of the hearth reflected in her golden pupils, shimmering with specks of warm light.
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